FIGHTS GALORE

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 59, 2 December 1933, Page 22

FIGHTS GALORE

American Football Crowd IMPRESSIVE INCIDENT When one state plays another at football in the United States of America it is an event of the very first importance, and everything is subordinated to it on the day of the battle. Mrs. H. R. Black, formerly of Wellington, who was recently present at the game between Michigan and Ohio Universities at Ann Arbor, writes that she did not know very much about American football, but. was impressed with the spectacle which presented itself at the University stadium on October 29. “The stadium here seats 75,000, and as it was all booked out more seats had to be provided,” she continues. “These were built and all tilled, which did not obviate many people having,to be burned away. There was a record crowd of 93,508 present. Competition between these teams—Michigan and Ohio—has always been keen, but our team (Michigan ) won by 40 to nil. “The whole crowd went wild with excitement. and there were fights galore, encouraged by the circulating whisky flask, which was much in evidence in the crowd. The Ohio Band was the smartest thing I’ve ever seen. The uniform was navy blue, with short capes to the waist-line lined with scarlet and grey. They also wore white spats and red pompoms in their tall hussar hats. The drum-major was resplendent in white and gold, and, my, how be swanked as he stepped out and twirled his gleaming baton. “Oue very impressive scene was witnessed at half-time, when the Michigan Band entered the field and paced slowly round in perfect silence to the tap of the drums only. The men formed the letters “STEVE,” and marched in that order. This was their notion of paying respect to a much-loved track coach, who had died only a few days before. The entire audience stood up. the men bareheaded, while the Last Post was sounded on a bugle. It was a lovely thought, and most impressively carried out. Strange to say, this coach had acted for Ohio University some time before, so it was fitting that the two teams should do him honour on the field so prominently associated with his work.”